The Sun Never Sets in Alicante Past Review
By Cate Lewellyn (Illinois State University) - abroad from 09/04/2018 to 12/22/2018 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Alicante, Spain
I learned how to be independent and I gained a lot of self-confidence. I also learned how to adapt to sudden changes and remain calm in stressful situations. Yes, it was definitely worthwhile!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The University of Alicante is amazing because they offer classes in English for all types of majors - from Computer Science to Literature to Engineering to Botany! The library is also amazing with beautiful views of the mountains. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health care issues, but I know that the doctor on campus was free for us to visit if we needed to. |
| * Safety: |
Alicante is a family city and it is extremely safe! I never once felt unsafe walking alone during the day or at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
CEA is the best affiliate program to partner with because they do all the dirty work for you - they provide housing, plan activities and excursions, and help you organize your schedule and transcripts. The onsite staff, Adriana and Alvaro, as well as the staff back in the US are extremely helpful. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
If you don't stay with a host family (which includes meals), groceries in Alicante were still very cheap. I think I spent 50-60€ a month on groceries. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10-20€ a week for eating out |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work, work, work before you leave and you won't have to worry so much! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish Linguistics |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would review before you go and make sure that you are placed in the right level of classes once you get there. Challenge yourself and move up if you feel like you can learn more! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew to value the warm days at Playa de Postiguet, or to spend every second watching the sunset from Santa Barbara Castle, because those moments flew by so quickly! |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
